"What about-" Jane was forced to pause as she yawned, "dancing? You're going to tell me there's scientific reasoning for that?"

Jane nudged Maura, forcing her to stay awake. She had spent the last two hours having Maura explain evolutionary cause and effect in their every day lives in order to keep her from falling asleep. Following the medic's orders, Jane only had one hour left, but she was beginning to find it harder and harder to keep Maura from nodding off.

Maura fought as sleep continued to try to pull her in. "Jane don't be ridiculous. Dancing is an integral part of one's cultural identity."

"So the fact that we grind up on each other says what about Americans?"

"Well, that sex plays a large part in our lives. Many view dancing now as a way to gage a partner's sexual compatibility."

"So if you can't dance, you're bad in bed?"

"That's a flawed syllogism.'

Jane watched Maura close her eyes.

"Hey, no sleeping. Come on, doctor's order. One more hour."

Maura pouted.

"Not on my watch."

Knowing she had no chance, she resolutely sighed and leaned back into the pillow.

"So are you a good dancer?" Maura asked, eyes still closed.

Jane felt herself freeze at the question. Was Maura simply curious, or was that question laced with a lot more behind it?

"Uh, you know, I can keep rhythm."

Maura smirked at her response, only then causing Jane to realize her own accidental innuendo.

Blushing, Jane turned the tables. "I assume you're pretty good, huh? All those years of ballet?"

"Well, I can follow directions well," Dear God, Jane, focus. She's talking about ballet. Get your mind out of the gutter "but I've never really danced without instructions."

"What? You've never been to a school dance or something? You had to have gone to one at a frat party when you were in college."

"No," Maura said wistfully, "I was never invited."

Jane bit the side of her cheek. Nice going, moron. You better make this right.

"Maura Isles, want to go dancing tomorrow night?"

Maura opened her eyes and turned to Jane, who was smiling goofily at her.

"I can promise in one night, you'll realize you missed absolutely nothing. Music that's too loud, drinks that are too expensive, and super sleazy guys trying to grope you."

Maura's face lit up. "Really? I thought that would be the last thing you'd be interested in."

"That's an accurate statement. But we can't have you thinking you're missing out on a big experience. I know everyone wants to congratulate you, maybe we can arrange for something at the dirty robber."

So Jane and Maura spent the rest of the hour discussing the proposed party. They imagined how Maura would have to sneak away from Dr. Pike, and they both hoped they could watch Frost and Frankie show off some of their dance moves. As the hour finally came to a close, Jane found that she had no excuse to be laying in Maura's bed when there was another queen sized bed two feet from her.

Jane rolled off the bed and moved over to the empty one, which felt much too cold.

With a final goodnight to Maura, Jane turned off the light. Despite how tired she was almost moments ago, she now felt fully charged. It was as if her body had a magnetic pull towards Maura. She turned to the opposite wall and tried to control herself. It felt as of an electric spark was running between them. She had no idea what to do with herself. She swallowed and worked to steady her breathing. But with every soft move Maura made from the other bed, Jane could feel the hairs on her arm stand up.

This was going to be a long night.

Jane awoke the next morning to the sound of the phone ringing.

"'Ello?"

"Jane," Korsak's voice answered back, "He confessed. Everything. We can check Maura out of Witness Protection if she wants to."

Jane snapped to attention.

"Thank God! Maura wake up!" Jane threw her pillow over at Maura.

"Oh!" Maura exclaimed, having gotten a face full of pillow. "What is it? Did he talk?"

Jane finished up with Korsak and relayed the information back to Maura. She admitted that it would be necessary for Maura to move given that her address had gotten out, but because Cavanaugh traded information on multiple gangs, it was deemed safe for Maura to return to work. Still, Jane insisted on 24 hour surveillance for at least the next two days, just to be sure.

She left Maura for a few hours to finish up the paperwork related to the case. While at work, she began to spread the word that they would celebrate Maura's return at the Dirty Robber tonight. It wasn't exactly the club experience she had promised Maura last night, but she figured it would do.

Maura made her way to the Dirty Robber at 6:00. She nervously smoothed down her wrinkle free Marc Jacobs dress. The fit dress was a shocking shade of blue that had been sitting in her closet for far too long.

The only word to describe the Dirty Robber was packed. Maura had never seems so many people at the bar. She saw Frankie spot her at the door, who quickly shouted at everyone, "Maura's here!"

The crowd turned and faced Maura, and she was greeted with applause. Blushing and thanking the group, she searched through the crowd until she found Jane. Jane rushed over and pulled her into a hug.

"Pretty good turnout, huh? Who knew you were so popular?"

Maura smiled and felt a tap on her shoulder.

"Shots! For my two favorite ladies."

Giovanni smiled and shoved a shot glass in her hands. "You look hot, by the way. Awesome color. C'mon, bottoms up!"

Maura threw a look to Jane who smiled back.

"Here have mine. I'm sticking with beer tonight."

Maura took the first and before she cold finish making a face, she was already being pulled in the opposite direction.

"Dr. Isles is taking shots!" Jane heard from some one in the crowd, "Next rounds on me."

And like that Jane lost Maura in the sea of people. She made her way over to her favorite booth to hang out with Frost and Korsak.

Throughout the night, Jane would catch a glimpse of Maura before the crowd engulfed her again. She could see her laughing and talking to the other detectives, her face flushed from the alcohol and excitement. Jane watched Maura lean into the group, and then smile as a song came on. The crowd began to dance, and Maura was lost again. She reappeared in Jane's view again a few minutes later, dancing and laughing.

Jane stared sullenly into her drink. She hadn't imagined the night going quite like this. She expected to be with Maura, perhaps clumsily bumping into her while the crowd moved in time to the song. Instead she was watching Maura do all those things with a cluster of detectives. She scowled and attempted to bring herself back into the conversation. Frost and Korsak had been exchanged with Frankie and Angela, but to Jane it was all the same. It was not Maura.

Jane swallowed the last of her beer and pushed up off the table to make her way the door to get some air. She stepped outside and cursed as the cold hit her. She realized her jacket was still in the booth, but she wasn't ready to bring herself back into the party.

Jane scuffed her boot against the ground and watched her breath form in the cold October air. She had never smoked, never had any particular interest to, but at this moment she suddenly felt the allure. She imagined holding the cigarette between her fingers and feeling the stress and annoyance dispel from her body with each breath.

Jane raked her fingers through her hair and rubbed her hands against her arms, trying to stay warm. What exactly was she so upset about? What did she want to happen?

Before she had the chance to dwell on it, she heard the door open followed by a small thud.

Maura was staring back at her, breathless. "There you are! I just slipped," she said, laughing at herself. Her smile faded off of Jane's expression. "What's wrong? Where have you been? You're not leaving are you? You must be freezing!"

Jane shrugged and looked away. Maura's flushed cheeks and breathless stance made her angrier. Clearly Jane wasn't needed in order for her to have a good time.

"Yeah, I think I'll head out soon. Been a long few days..." she trailed off and scuffed her feet again. "Glad you're having fun though."

Maura huffed. "Well it doesn't sound like you are. Why - why don't you come inside? I thought we were going to dance. I want to see you keep rhythm," Maura said with a sly smile, her body swaying forward as she tried to keep her balance.

Maura's comment made Jane even more frustrated. "You seem to be doing fine on your own."

"What? What are you talking about?" Maura clumsily brushed a loose stand behind her ear with the back of her hand. "Jane?"

Jane couldn't handle it anymore. She knew she had no reason to be angry at Maura, but she couldn't control herself. "I'm going to head home. Have fun."

"What? Jane?" Maura asked as Jane crossed her to make her way back to the door to grab her jacket. "Why are you behaving this way?"

With one hand on the door, Jane turned back and looked over her shoulder at Maura. "Like what?"

"Like I've done something wrong! All I've done is enjoy the party you organized. How is that a bad thing?"

Jane paused. "I'm just tired, Maura." Tired of all of this. Tired of feeling so confused whenever she was around her. Jane turned back and walked inside, leaving a confused and bewildered Maura standing in the parking lot, staring at the closed door.

A/N: Thank you so much for all of your support. Especially to those of you who have reviewed more than once. It's so great to hear from all of you!

I'm trying to draw a nice balance between fluff and angst, so let me know if you think I'm leaning to heavily in one direction. Getting ready to wrap up soon!